It's the time of year for new year's resolutions, goals and plans for what the year will bring and how you will achieve your goals.

The problem is - most new year's resolutions have been deserted by sometime in March, therefore lasting change is often not achieved.

So, what can you do to help make your goals for 2019 a reality?

Creating Lasting Change

According to Dr. Richard Barwell and Dr. Patrick Porter in a recent seminar discussing the neurology of stress response and creating new habits they said that it takes 18 months to change habits and create new patterns. They also said that novelty forces or experiences will only effect your nervous system for 72 hours – until you create a new normal within your brain.

Your body is always working hard to achieve homeostasis, or it’s version of normal. This means that if for the last 18 months you have been feeling great and your body has been working the way it should – your homeostasis is wonderful and your body will work every second of every day to keep you at wonderful.

If your body though has perhaps been under stress or feeling less than wonderful – homeostasis for you is less than wonderful, and your body will work every day to keep you at what your brain and nervous system believe is normal.

There is hope though! Novel stimuli are things you do that are new or create input into your nervous system. Adjustments are great novel stimuli! As are massages, pilates, better nutrients, walking, body work, etc.

Creating lasting changes in your health and creating a new normal, a better, more vibrant normal is actually very simple.

It takes consistency.

Your nervous system is affected by a new impulse for 72 hours or approximately 3 days. This means that once this effect wears off your brain will revert to its old habits and patterns.

This is why most new years resolutions fall flat – lack of consistency doesn’t yield lasting change.

Tips for helping you reach your goal:

Determine what your goal is.

-- It’s important to pick a goal that is both a challenge and also achievable.

--It’s better to pick a smaller goal than to aim too high and not achieve any change at all.

Figure out your action steps.

--Pick one or 2 things you will add, or remove and then stick to those consistently.

Once you know what you’re going to do – put it in your schedule.

--Once these items are in your schedule stick with them. --

--If your goal is to work out pick a day and time during your week that is your dedicated time.

--Once you’ve chosen your time, do your best not to schedule over it.

Whatever novel stimuli you’re adding to your life (adjustments, massage, yoga..) – be sure that you are keeping up with it atminimum twice each week.

--This helps your brain and nervous system adapt over the next 18 months to a brand new normal or homestasis.

Chiropractic Adjustments are so beneficial for your health and the health of your children. The benefits range from improved immune function, and improved concentration to help with sensory processing sensitivity and attention deficit disorder.

And, remember that in the beginning it takes a lot of consistency in order to maintain your positive changes until your brain recognizes (at 18 months) a new normal for you!

With dedication you can meet and surpass many of your health related goals. And, Chiropractic can play a role an important role in helping you do this!

Under care you and your child will be healthier! When your spine is aligned and your nervous system is functioning properly you have greater potential to create health! I invite you to come and discover how Chiropractic may be able to help you and your family be healthy.

I’d love to hear from you! Please email me your questions, requests or share your story. You can also follow Gentle Hands Healing Centre on Facebook or share this message with your friends and family!

Until next time,

Andrea

ps — While you might not be a parent, if you have important health goals for 2019, let’s have a conversation. And if you know someone with a sensitive child, please share this message with them!